Interview with Mr. Ratan Budhathoki, NEWAH, Nepal

Year of publication: 2006

Summary of the interview:

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far (either from your work or from the symposium) about strengthening capacity for local governance in WASH?

Capacity building is a process and requires effective coordination among sector players at different levels – international, national and local – with certain rules and clarity on who does what. It also requires an enabling environment and it has to be linked to strategies and plans of the government to make sure it’s a common achievement. Finally, advocacy and follow-up are essential to make it happen.

What is the most important thing that sector staff should keep in mind in the context of strengthening capacity for local governance?

Capacity building is context-specific, so it cannot be the same everywhere and at every level. It is necessary to start with the existing situation and build up from there. Be a facilitator, rather than an implementer. Be cooperative and flexible and focus on the requirements and needs of the local level people, professionals and authorities.

What does ‘strengthening capacity for local governance’ mean for you in practice? Has it changed or will it change the way you (or your organisation) work(s)? If so, how?

We try to create an environment that contributes to sustainability of the systems, practices and behaviours of sector professionals and beneficiaries. Ensuring participation and ownership is important. People have to be aware of where to find information about, for instance, donors and funding, who could support them, and what to do. Helping people with that, contributing to transparency, taking accountability and responsibility and looking at lessons learned are some of the practical things that we do.

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